Roman Max Biaggi won the first of two World Superbike races today at the Vallelunga circuit. Built just outside of Rome in 1959 — and a former one-mile sand oval — it is the venue’s first WSB race and hometown hero Max Biaggi thrilled the adoring crowds by winning the race on his Corona Extra Suzuki. Mad Max’s win immediately moved him into a tie with Norikyuki Haga for second in the 2007 World Superbike Series Championship (Haga placed fourth in the race).

The opening lap of the race at Vallelunga saw Ducati Xerox's Troy Bayliss in the lead ahead of ‘07 WSB World Championship points’ leader James Toseland. Two laps in, Bayliss held station at the front, but was being pressured by a fast-closing Biaggi. Haga ran third and Toseland was fourth. Biaggi and Bayliss soon began to fight for the lead, and four laps in, Max made his move in the Compagnao corner. On lap number seven Haga went by Bayliss, however the Yamaha rider could not close on the fleeting Biaggi. Bayliss and Haga passed and re-passed each other on lap 13, while Toseland closed in on the duo. Bayliss attempted to zap Haga in the double rights at Cimini, but Haga hung tough in second. A few laps later, Haga made two mistakes allowed Bayliss to race away and Toseland to close in. On the white flag lap — lap number 23 of 24 — Toseland motored by Haga and into third. Biaggi would win the race by over five second. Troy Bayliss was second, James Toseland was third and Nori Haga was fourth. Fifth place went to Fabrizio while Troy Bayliss' teammate Lorenzo Lanzi was sixth. Regis Laconi, on a Kawasaki was seventh.